So, I’m kicking off my first ‘official list’ with book covers. Confession….. I am a cover whore. I love love love book covers. I’ve been known to judge a book solely by it’s cover. But I think there is something to say for a book that has a ‘good’ cover. I think a good cover is one that is not only visually appealing and catches your eye, but one that has an excellent representation of the pages within the story. Here are 10 covers that I think have those characteristics. (in no particular order)
1. North of Beautiful
Eye catching cover… check. But this cover also represents the pages within the cover exceptionally well. The main character Terra, struggles with the definition of beauty. She has a port-wine birthmark that covers her cheek. Although the cover doesn’t show a girl with a birthmark on her face, having her face covered with her hair fits Terra as a character. If you look closely at the cover there is a compass, which also has a very significant role in the story. Two great elements that make this cover awesome and really give the reader a glimpse of what is in store from the novel! (Plus this books is really good, if you haven’t read it yet, you should!)
2. Willow
Promise, I’m going to have covers without faces of girls on them! Willow is another cover that I think really represents the story. The front cover is really eye-catching, with the individual strips making up the image, but my favorite part of the cover is the back. The back cover has two arms extending with their hands clasped together…. and if you look at the cover quickly that is all you see. But if you really look at the cover you can see something written on the back as well. The cover is sort of a matte finish but there is a line that says “It’s hard to keep a secret when it’s written all over your body.” in a really high gloss and when it hits the light just the right way you can see it. It’s a great representation of Willow’s scars. If you look really quickly you might not see them, but take a second look…. well you get the idea. (I noticed that this is only true for the hardcover, the paperback has the same elements, but it’s a lot smaller because there is more writing on the back of the pb edition.)
3. Life as We Knew It
I love the cover of this book! The colors and the overall erie feel. It matches the mood of this novel perfectly. Life as We Knew It is a sort of dystopian…. end of the world we know type of novel, where the moon basically reeks havoc on the earth. I don’t want to spoil the story if you haven’t read the book, so I won’t say more about that. But the moon plays a hugely significant role in the book and I love that it is so prominently displayed on the cover. You can’t escape that moon, POW… it’s right there in your face! The other books in the series also have wonderful covers.
4. Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act 1
This cover makes me think… whimsical, dramatic and magical. And that’s exactly what this story has in store for the reader! I also love how well it represents the main character on the cover. Bertie, her blue hair and her three constant fairy companions. And the cover alone would be enough to make me pick this one up. And it seems as though all of the books in this series are going to have gorgeous covers because book two looks just as enticing!
5. Hush, Hush
This cover is HOT. Even if you didn’t like the book, (which for the record… I did) you have to admit that this cover is sizzlin’! The cover image alone made me want to read this book, even before I really knew what it was really about. Not that I didn’t guess it was about some sort of fallen angel…. I mean look at the thing! I love that it’s in black and white, with the slight accent of red. Normally I’m burnt-out on the black/white/red cover, but this one just works, and it works very well. Not to mention it looks just as dark and brooding as the actual character Patch is in the novel. Cover win!
6. Give Up the Ghost
At first glance this cover seems to be a girl getting some books out of her locker, but she’s not alone! There is a ghost whispering in her ear! I LOVE IT! Would absolutely pick this one up from the cover alone. I also again, really love the colors of this one. And the font looks sort of ghastly or maybe erie is a better word, either way it is cool! Basically the story is about a girl that is able to communicate with ghosts. Do you get that from the cover? I do! The tone of the cover is a little lighter than the tone of the novel, but I still think it works well.
7. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Speak is one of my all time favorite novels and I didn’t really appreciate the cover until I’d finished the novel. Honestly it probably wasn’t something that I would have picked up based on the cover alone, at the time. It would however be something that I would pick up now, because of the cover. There are several variations of Speak. I really like this version of it, but my favorite is probably the one that has the leaves accented in red, it just makes the cover really pop. I love love love how this cover represents the novel. The mouth is missing, which is a HUGE part of the novel, and the tree. The tree has it’s own significance in the novel too. Two huge aspects of the novel that truly ‘make’ this cover. Awesome story with an even more awesome cover.
8. Twenty Boy Summer
Not only is Twenty Boy Summer an awesome book, it also has an awesome cover. I love it! The weathered wooden planks….. the colored sea glass…. if that doesn’t say summer, what does!? Although I have to admit, it sort of bothered my anal tendencies when I noticed that piece of red glass mixed in there with all those wonderful blues. It just did not fit! But after I read the novel and was enlightened on the significance of the sea glass, and the red sea glass in particular, it is one of my favorite aspects of the cover. I just want a poster of it, so I can hang it on my wall…… so pretty.
9. The Adoration of Jenna Fox 
Such a great book. One of my all time favorites. Initially the cover and the summary didn’t really match up for me. I really liked the cover, I thought it was beautifully, but I didn’t understand what it had to do with the story and what it had to do with Jenna. Not to give to much away, but Jenna looses her memory and she is trying to piece together what has happened….. so good. If you read the story you’ll understand the significance of the butterfly, but I don’t want to reveal too much here. If you haven’t read this book, you should! The paperback cover is different from the hardcover edition, they are both good covers, but I prefer this one. It would be interesting to know which one has better sales…..
10. Forget You
I just love love love this book, and the cover is so hot, I can’t not mention it! It doesn’t hit the shelves until July, but make sure you get a copy! This is unlike any YA book I’ve read. I love how this cover portrays Doug and Zoey…. although I think I pictured Doug to be a little more rough around the edges… lol. Something about the embrace and the look on Zoey’s face capture the feel of the novel completely… plus the little peek of sand in there. Just love it. This cover just makes me want to pick it up and read it. And I don’t want to insinuate that this book is just a love story, because there is a lot more too it than that. But either way, it’s a mind-blowing book with an amazing cover!
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Nice covers
My faves here are #1, #4, and #5. I'm reading jenna Fox atm, and loving it. I have a different cover though, a profile of a girl with puzzle pieces on it.
I so agree….i think im a book cover whore too lol
i have so many favourite covers the list would be never ending. No. 4 &5 are my faves from your list so far
Happy Thursday
Is the pic on the North of Beautiful cover the same one they used for Evermore?
I am just DYING to read Forget You.
I love the covers. My fave ones from your list are numbers 5, 8, and 9.
Nice covers
My faves here are #1, #4, and #5. I'm reading jenna Fox atm, and loving it. I have a different cover though, a profile of a girl with puzzle pieces on it.
These are some of my favorites too!
And I'm so unbelievably excited for Forget You – I think it's really cool how the cover is also kind of reminiscent of Going Too Far, like the way how it's kind of faded? I'll definitely be running to the bookstore to get it the day it releases, lol
You are not the only one seduced by covers
Sooo pretty 
THese are all beautiful. Fantastic. :]
I love a good cover! I have to admit that my local bookseller had to force me to read Hunger Games when it first came out–because I hated the cover. (It's grown on me over the years.) So, I totally judge books by their covers. I think that there's nothing wrong with this!
Who says dont judge a book by it's cover? ; )
I so agree….i think im a book cover whore too lol
i have so many favourite covers the list would be never ending. No. 4 &5 are my faves from your list so far
Happy Thursday
I definitely buy books based on the cover all the time. Although, a lot of these books I wouldn't choose for my top 10 — like I would have Sea by Heidi R Kling on the list and A Great And Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray.
It's interesting seeing how different bloggers have different tastes! Fun list
Is the pic on the North of Beautiful cover the same one they used for Evermore?
I love these covers! Especially Twenty Boy Summer–I knew when I picked it up that I was in for a great beach read.
I am just DYING to read Forget You.
I love the covers. My fave ones from your list are numbers 5, 8, and 9.
These are all fantastic choices! Speak and North of Beautiful are my favorites.
I never used to be a cover shopper but one of my co-workers is and has converted me. I still pay lots more attention to the blurb and author but I have hesitated to purchase a book because of a cover I didn't like. I was really turned off by the blue lips on Forgive My Fins (and I still don't think it is really a good representation of the story). I bought the book anyway on the strength of the author and was glad I did.
These are some of my favorites too!
And I'm so unbelievably excited for Forget You – I think it's really cool how the cover is also kind of reminiscent of Going Too Far, like the way how it's kind of faded? I'll definitely be running to the bookstore to get it the day it releases, lol
I love this post!
I too, love it when a cover represents what is inside the book. I LOVE the Eyes Like Stars Cover.
You are not the only one seduced by covers
Sooo pretty 
THese are all beautiful. Fantastic. :]
I love a good cover! I have to admit that my local bookseller had to force me to read Hunger Games when it first came out–because I hated the cover. (It's grown on me over the years.) So, I totally judge books by their covers. I think that there's nothing wrong with this!
Love this post, too! Absolutely – I'm a cover whore, too.
One of my favorites is 13 Reasons Why…because in addition to liking the picutre on the cover, if you remove the hardback cover jacket, the Map used in the story is on the backside of the cover jacket! How cool is that?!
Who says dont judge a book by it's cover? ; )
I definitely buy books based on the cover all the time. Although, a lot of these books I wouldn't choose for my top 10 — like I would have Sea by Heidi R Kling on the list and A Great And Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray.
It's interesting seeing how different bloggers have different tastes! Fun list
I love these covers! Especially Twenty Boy Summer–I knew when I picked it up that I was in for a great beach read.
Beautiful choices.
I too will pick books based on covers. I can't seem to help myself.
These are all fantastic choices! Speak and North of Beautiful are my favorites.
I agree about the cover for Hush, Hush. It's one of those buy-it-then-decide-if-it's-a-good-story covers. Kudos to the cover designer!
I also love the cover for ALL UNQUIET THINGS by Anna Jarzab. There's an eerie dead girl on the cover–which I'm oddly a sucker for. The image is so haunting and beautiful. (www.annajarzab.com)
Cool post
I never used to be a cover shopper but one of my co-workers is and has converted me. I still pay lots more attention to the blurb and author but I have hesitated to purchase a book because of a cover I didn't like. I was really turned off by the blue lips on Forgive My Fins (and I still don't think it is really a good representation of the story). I bought the book anyway on the strength of the author and was glad I did.
I love this post!
I too, love it when a cover represents what is inside the book. I LOVE the Eyes Like Stars Cover.
I love the Forget You cover!
Love this post, too! Absolutely – I'm a cover whore, too.
One of my favorites is 13 Reasons Why…because in addition to liking the picutre on the cover, if you remove the hardback cover jacket, the Map used in the story is on the backside of the cover jacket! How cool is that?!
Beautiful choices.
I too will pick books based on covers. I can't seem to help myself.
I agree about the cover for Hush, Hush. It's one of those buy-it-then-decide-if-it's-a-good-story covers. Kudos to the cover designer!
I also love the cover for ALL UNQUIET THINGS by Anna Jarzab. There's an eerie dead girl on the cover–which I'm oddly a sucker for. The image is so haunting and beautiful. (www.annajarzab.com)
Cool post
SO I totally judge a book by its cover too! I feel like books that have amazing covers are pretty much always worth reading.
They're at least worth purchasing and putting on my shelf!
I am definitely with you; I get books based on their covers. I love Life As We Knew It and Speak, and their covers are great :] I added two others to my list, so thanks!
Check out my blog http://karissaaddictedtoreading.blogspot.com/
-Karissa
I'm with you 100% on Forget You. It's a sizzling cover! And North of Beautiful… you hit it right on the head. Not only is the cover amazing but it fits the book so well.
I love the Forget You cover!
nice covers
Speak and The Adoration on Jenna Fox are two of my all time favorite books as well:)
SO I totally judge a book by its cover too! I feel like books that have amazing covers are pretty much always worth reading.
They're at least worth purchasing and putting on my shelf!
I am definitely with you; I get books based on their covers. I love Life As We Knew It and Speak, and their covers are great :] I added two others to my list, so thanks!
Check out my blog http://karissaaddictedtoreading.blogspot.com/
-Karissa
I'm with you 100% on Forget You. It's a sizzling cover! And North of Beautiful… you hit it right on the head. Not only is the cover amazing but it fits the book so well.
Great post! I love the eyes like stars cover. It is one of my favorites. When I first saw it, I wanted to buy it I didn't even care what it was about.
nice covers
Speak and The Adoration on Jenna Fox are two of my all time favorite books as well:)
This was a great, fun post. I just read JENNA FOX and absolutely loved it. I've got the paperback and I think that cover is gorgeous, too!
ELS has a fantastic cover. I love it and the book!
Funny, but sometimes we don't care for a cover initially, but after reading the story find it fits very well.
Great post! I love the eyes like stars cover. It is one of my favorites. When I first saw it, I wanted to buy it I didn't even care what it was about.
This was a great, fun post. I just read JENNA FOX and absolutely loved it. I've got the paperback and I think that cover is gorgeous, too!
ELS has a fantastic cover. I love it and the book!
I think the cover of Hush Hush is what's keeping me from reading it, that and the fact that it keeps reminding me of something I'm writing. It's not the same, obviously, but I don't want ANYTHING in that book to influence what I'm writing. I'd hate to be compared to the book; I'd rather be able to say I honestly didn't read it.
I love all these covers, but Hush, Hush and Twenty Boy Summer are my favs
Funny, but sometimes we don't care for a cover initially, but after reading the story find it fits very well.
"Hush, Hush" has to be one of my favorite Covers of all time ~ and the book was amazing!!! (my review: http://patriciasparticularity.blogspot.com/2010/06/book-review-hush-hush-by-becca.html).
"Speak" is another one. I haven't read "Forget You" yet but its on one of my blog tours so I will soon. I also tend to judge a book by its cover lol.
I love a good cover aswell, it makes me want to own a book if it has a great cover, some of my faves are:
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Pretty Little Liars (US doll covers)
Twilight
The Luxe series
Generation Dead series
My minds gone totally blank, but theres so many I love, thats why I love the 'books to pine for' post to see all the new covers!
Wonderful choices! I love the cover of Speak, too. It represents the book really well.
I really love the 20 boy summer one too. Very pretty.
I think the cover of Hush Hush is what's keeping me from reading it, that and the fact that it keeps reminding me of something I'm writing. It's not the same, obviously, but I don't want ANYTHING in that book to influence what I'm writing. I'd hate to be compared to the book; I'd rather be able to say I honestly didn't read it.
I love all these covers, but Hush, Hush and Twenty Boy Summer are my favs
"Hush, Hush" has to be one of my favorite Covers of all time ~ and the book was amazing!!! (my review: http://patriciasparticularity.blogspot.com/2010/06/book-review-hush-hush-by-becca.html).
"Speak" is another one. I haven't read "Forget You" yet but its on one of my blog tours so I will soon. I also tend to judge a book by its cover lol.
I love a good cover aswell, it makes me want to own a book if it has a great cover, some of my faves are:
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Pretty Little Liars (US doll covers)
Twilight
The Luxe series
Generation Dead series
My minds gone totally blank, but theres so many I love, thats why I love the 'books to pine for' post to see all the new covers!
Nice picks! About half of them are ones of people, and I like those because they help me envision the character(s) when reading. Forget You has such a soothing cover that definitely reminds me of summer.
Wonderful choices! I love the cover of Speak, too. It represents the book really well.
I really love the 20 boy summer one too. Very pretty.
Nice picks! About half of them are ones of people, and I like those because they help me envision the character(s) when reading. Forget You has such a soothing cover that definitely reminds me of summer.
I'd love a poster of Twenty Boy Summer too, I like that cover that much.
To me it just screams summer.
And I love the Hush,Hush cover as well.
I feel the same way too girl. I usually buy books with a good looking cover and books that I like the review of.
Wonderful list! These covers are all lovely. I especially like the cover of 20 Boy Summer. Coincidentally, the first few times I saw it online I thought the pieces of sea glass were Post Its. Once I was set straight, though, I loved it even more.
I'd love a poster of Twenty Boy Summer too, I like that cover that much.
To me it just screams summer.
And I love the Hush,Hush cover as well.
I feel the same way too girl. I usually buy books with a good looking cover and books that I like the review of.
Wonderful list! These covers are all lovely. I especially like the cover of 20 Boy Summer. Coincidentally, the first few times I saw it online I thought the pieces of sea glass were Post Its. Once I was set straight, though, I loved it even more.
Such a great post. I am totally drawn to covers too! I love most of the Patricia McKillip covers.
Those books all have great covers. I'm so excited for Forget You! I loved Going Too Far (which also had a great cover).
Such a great post. I am totally drawn to covers too! I love most of the Patricia McKillip covers.
Those books all have great covers. I'm so excited for Forget You! I loved Going Too Far (which also had a great cover).
These are all great! of course I personally would have put Twilight and Need on the list. Also maybe Forgive My Fins!
These are all great! of course I personally would have put Twilight and Need on the list. Also maybe Forgive My Fins!
North of Beautiful – I absolutely agree.
I loved the cover and the book.
Give Up The Ghost – the cover looks pretty too! I'll be adding this to my wish list.
North of Beautiful – I absolutely agree.
I loved the cover and the book.
Give Up The Ghost – the cover looks pretty too! I'll be adding this to my wish list.
I love book covers!
I know that everybody says "Don't judge a book by it's cover" but if a book has a really unattractive cover, I won't pick it up and read the blurb!
Isme
The Book Slooth
The cover for North of Beautiful is really good, but the girl that is used is the same girl on a number of other books. For example, Evermore by Alyson Noel.
I love book covers!
I know that everybody says "Don't judge a book by it's cover" but if a book has a really unattractive cover, I won't pick it up and read the blurb!
Isme
The Book Slooth
The cover for North of Beautiful is really good, but the girl that is used is the same girl on a number of other books. For example, Evermore by Alyson Noel.
I love pretty covers too but I tend to really like the ones that somehow represent the actual story.
I love these covers! This may sound strange, but I usually don't like "real" people on my covers. I want to picture the characters as I want to see them…and usually the model on the cover doesn't match up for me. This is why I still love the first two covers on your list – their faces are partially obscured, leaving something for the reader's imagination.
Great post!
I love pretty covers too but I tend to really like the ones that somehow represent the actual story.
I love these covers! This may sound strange, but I usually don't like "real" people on my covers. I want to picture the characters as I want to see them…and usually the model on the cover doesn't match up for me. This is why I still love the first two covers on your list – their faces are partially obscured, leaving something for the reader's imagination.
Great post!
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I finally got a chance to pick up WILLOW and wow… WOW! It was bloody fantastic! (ooh, I vacationed in the UK recently and look where that got me!)
Love, Hannah
I finally got a chance to pick up WILLOW and wow… WOW! It was bloody fantastic! (ooh, I vacationed in the UK recently and look where that got me!)
Love, Hannah
Eyes Like Stars (& it's sequel: Perchance To Dream) have always been in my list of favorite covers. Just can't stop looking at them.
Eyes Like Stars (& it's sequel: Perchance To Dream) have always been in my list of favorite covers. Just can't stop looking at them.
Great cover list! A lot of these are my faves too. I especially love "The Adoration of Jenna Fox," just for the aesthetic value then with the added meaning once you read the book, and "Eyes Like Stars." I love Bertie's hair. It's a beautiful eye-catching cover.
Great cover list! A lot of these are my faves too. I especially love "The Adoration of Jenna Fox," just for the aesthetic value then with the added meaning once you read the book, and "Eyes Like Stars." I love Bertie's hair. It's a beautiful eye-catching cover.
I can vouch for Willow, Speak, TBS, and Jenna Fox. Everything you chose has gorgeous covers (although I'm not the first to pick up teens-on-the-front books), and there are extraordinary stories withing them. And I prefer the butterfly Jenna, too.
I can vouch for Willow, Speak, TBS, and Jenna Fox. Everything you chose has gorgeous covers (although I'm not the first to pick up teens-on-the-front books), and there are extraordinary stories withing them. And I prefer the butterfly Jenna, too.
Great picks. Hush Hush, Speak and Eyes like Stars are my favorites!
Great picks. Hush Hush, Speak and Eyes like Stars are my favorites!